Gay Mitchell
Ceist:11 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the plans, if any, he has for national aviation; and his views on whether a national aviation plan is desirable.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Transport Policy.
Since coming into office, I have carried out a review of all the major elements of Irish air transport policy and, following this review, I have set the following objectives: (i) to establish a clearer two airline policy designed to focus aviation policy on a strengthening of the Irish presence on services to/from Ireland, rather than having two Irish carriers actively pursuing traffic on identical routes; (ii) to encourage further the development of a soundly based air transport industry which can compete effectively with foreign airlines; and (iii) to promote the needs of tourism, trade and industry by providing a range of reliable and regular air services to/from Irish airports at the lowest economic cost.
In line with these objectives, I am actively pursuing the further liberalisation of the air transport regulatory environment for the benefit of both Ryanair and Aer Lingus, the expansion of the State and regional airports to meet anticipated traffic demand in the coming years and the upgrading of the capacity of the Irish air trafffic control system. Last September, I announced new arrangements for Ryanair and Aer Lingus on routes to and from Ireland.
During Ireland's Presidency of the EC, one of my major priorities is to secure agreement on the second phase package of air transport liberalisation measures. During the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Transport in March, substantial progress was made in developing the various elements of the package which, if adopted in June, will result in greater flexibility and freedom for Irish and other Community airlines in the fields of market access, capacity and air fares. The more liberal air transport policies which are being spearheaded by Ireland increases the possibility for more competition between airlines and for more passenger traffic at airports.
Would the Minister not agree that aviation policy should include a policy on the future development of regional airports throughout the country? Would he further agree that there is a need for consistent policy, given the proliferation of regional airports and the prospects for their future development? Baldonnel Airport has a major modern network connection to Dublin and would the Minister consider that it is suitable for development as a joint civil-military airport and that it is the desired location for future charter flights into Dublin, and if there is a change of policy that it is suitable for transatlantic flights? Would he agree that this is consistent with what has been done in other European capitals? Finally, would he agree that a national aviation policy should be addressing this problem?
We have a national aviation policy very much in place and we are still developing it. On the question of regional airports, I can tell the Deputy that I am currently working on a policy to pull together the future development of the regional airports. I hope to announce an overall strategy and policy for regional airports in the not too distant future. Substantial investment has gone into regional airports. I am anxious that we rationalise matters and that we will have a clear picture of where we should be investing in the future. I share the Deputy's concern about the need to pull this together. I am in the process of doing that and in the not too distant future I shall have something on it.
In regard to the suggestion about Baldonnel, all I can say is that Dublin Airport is extremely busy. The number of passengers coming through there has doubled in a few short years. There are now over five million passengers coming through Dublin Airport, double the number four years earlier, but because of the new runway and the new air traffic arrangements there, it is still not operating at capacity. It can take a lot more business and my immediate priority is to get that business.
Would the Minister not agree that part of the justification for the continued arrangements at Shannon is the fact that the airport creates regional development and assists with employment in the area? The Minister will be aware that Clondalkin and Tallaght are employment blackspots and yet there is the most modern network of roads in that area, directly connecting it with Dublin Airport. Would the Minister agree that this is now the golden opportunity to re-examine the possibility of developing Baldonnel as the main airport for business aircraft and charter flights and indeed as a regional airport in its own right, like Waterford, Galway or Kerry? Would he agree, as part of his review of the regional airports and national aviation policy, to look again at this suggestion, given the possibility of spin-off jobs for the Clondalkin and Tallaght regions?
I am always happy to consider any suggestions made by the Deputy, as an Opposition spokesman. I was interested to hear the Deputy in his earlier comments refer to a proliferation of regional airports and then seek that I add another one to them.
I was asking about the question of national policy and aviation given that there has been a proliferation. I was not criticising the fact that there has been a proliferation. Proliferation means there has been an increase in the number of regional airports. It does not mean——
This question is leading to argument.
Would the Minister agree that the question of an independent air traffic control body and also the question of the future of ANSO within his Department might be addressed under some future national aviation policy?
The Deputy is well informed. I am reviewing the future of air traffic control and it is no secret that I want to give it greater autonomy. I am not convinced that it should remain a full Civil Service function and in the not too distant future I will be in a position to make proposals in that regard. We are upgrading our air traffic control services and we are in the course of investing £30 million which will give us-one of the most modern air traffic control systems available in any airport or any set of airports in Europe.